Weekly Update
A Message of Thanks from the BFA Board of Directors
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Dear Parents,
Some things cannot be said often enough—so once again we want to recognize our teachers and staff. BFA staff members continuously demonstrate their commitment to our students and we know they give their all to nurture and educate them every day. Working in education is a calling, and we’re grateful that you’ve chosen to fill this important role in our students’ lives. Thanks to each of you for being an integral part of the BFA team. We also appreciate the extra time you gave families last week during parent-teacher conferences.
In addition, we want to thank our parents for participating in conferences and taking a moment to write words of encouragement to the shining stars of our school. More than 100 cards were collected and put into this beautiful bulletin board that can be found in the front hallway (pictured above). We invite you all to come check it out in person—maybe while volunteering! We would love your help in the lunchroom, at recess and during carpool. Click here to be directed to the volunteer webpage with more information.
The BFA support team was highlighted at the Board meeting Tuesday evening in our Good News from BFA section. These teachers work with students on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), Accelerated Learning Plans (ALPs), and READ plans. They also provide support for students who are not on formal plans on a consultation basis. We are truly fortunate to have them full-time at our school helping our students.
A final thank you to all parents and staff that attend (in person or via Zoom) the monthly Board meetings. We appreciate that so many of you take the time to engage and learn about what’s going on at BFA (even when the meetings get lengthy!).
The third trimester begins on Monday, and we can’t wait to see what our students accomplish next.
Have a terrific weekend!
BFA Board of Directors
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Beyond Second Step, Part Two |
Last week we highlighted a few resources outside of Second Step. This week we continue with additional resources that reinforce the social-emotional learning happening at school. Please remember: The main goal of any Social-Emotional Learning tool that connects the home to school is to help parents turn everyday moments into opportunities for social-emotional growth and interaction.
Harmony at Home Lessons is a set of activities and lessons for families to use at home with children in grades PreK-6. Sanford Harmony provides these resources at no cost to guide parents and caregivers through ways to help children practice essential SEL skills such as empathy and critical thinking. [Access the lessons]
This resource from Playworks includes 30+ games that young children can play at home to stay active and build valuable life skills. Each game comes with guidelines on recommended ages, the number of people needed to play, equipment, setup/teaching time, game rules, challenge ideas, game variations and safety considerations. [Download the guide]
This checklist from Respectful Ways contains 14 activities for families to foster creativity, prompt discussion, expand children's imaginations and cultivate social-emotional growth. [Download the checklist]
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Formal Uniform and Class Pictures are March 2 |
Next Wednesday, March 2, is a Formal Uniform day, and MJ Thomas Photography will be on campus to take class pictures.
To order your own class picture, open this form that is hyperlinked directly to our schools online ordering event, then you can do one of the following to place your order:
- Click anywhere on the form and it will take you directly to our schools ordering page.
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Access the online ordering portal by going to www.mymjthomas.com and entering our schools event password (Located at the bottom of the form).
- Print the order form, attach a check or cash, and send it with your student on picture day to give to the photographer.
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The PTO would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the BFA staff, families, and community members who supported our 2021-22 fundraiser. While the official numbers aren’t in quite yet, it is clear that we not only met, but exceeded our $50,000 goal! We are thrilled to be able to pour this money back into BFA to benefit our teachers, staff and, most importantly, our students! Thank you to everyone who participated. We truly appreciate your generosity! |
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We Appreciate Your Support of the Book Fair |
THANK YOU to all the parents who shopped at the Book Fair. We had total sales of approximately $16,700 which means $4,000 in funds for new books. This has been our BEST Book Fair yet, and we’re so pleased that we’ll be able to purchase a lot of new books for the kids.
Special thanks to all the volunteers who decorated, set up, checked everyone out, broke down the fair, and also to those wonderful folks who brought Ms. Williams Starbucks! We couldn't have done it without you. We sincerely appreciate the support of the entire community—thank you for buying from the book fair!
And, congratulations to the students who won the raffle. Ms. Williams gave out about 60 prizes earlier this week!
Also, a BIG SHOUT OUT to the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) for offering babysitting during Parent-Teacher Conference nights. The parents loved being able to go to their conferences and then to the Book Fair without all the kids, and the kids loved being able to play instead of sitting through conferences.
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Make Plans to See 'James and the Giant Peach' this Weekend! |
The middle school drama and tech students are preparing for the musical "James and the Giant Peach, Jr." They will perform at 7 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26, on the BFA stage. Doors open at 6:40 p.m., and seating is first come, first served. If you've never been to a BFA musical--now is the time. All are welcome and tickets are FREE!
“James and the Giant Peach, Jr.” will take you on a great adventure with a bit of silliness, laughter and even sweetness. Below are several pictures offering a sneak peek--don’t miss this captivating musical!
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'DI'ing for Your Support
Destination Imagination (DI) Tournament on Saturday
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Come cheer on your BFA Destination Imagination (DI) team at the South Metro tournament THIS Saturday, Feb. 26, at American Academy (Lincoln Meadows Campus; 10260 Twenty Mile Road, Parker, 80134).
BFA’s middle school team – Calm and Collected Mother of a Cat Bottle – will be competing and demonstrating their problem solving skills in the Improv Challenge: Festival Frenzy at 11 a.m.
BFA’s DI team would enjoy your support and to see BFA faces in the audience rooting them to victory! Everyone is welcome.
THANK YOU to Amber Clendening, the volunteer parent team manager, and all our team members for your time and dedication to this year's participation in DI. The students have put in countless hours to devising creative solutions for their specific challenges, and their team manager, Mrs. Clendening, helped guide them along the way.
The team, pictured above, is as follows:
Team Name: Calm & Collected Mother of a Cat Bottle, Festival Frenzy, Improv, Middle Level
Team Members: Zaiah Bueno-Olson, Deagan Clendening, Sam Egolf, Connor Fillmore, Ryan Fillmore, and Mac Wilt
Good luck to BFA’s DI team!
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UPDATED TRYOUT SCHEDULE
Register Now for Boys Volleyball Tryouts
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Attention middle school boys: Volleyball season is right around the corner!
Registration is now open through MySchoolBucks. There is no cost to register for tryouts, but you MUST register before 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26. No exceptions. We had to revise the tryout schedule for our sixth grade students due to basketball playoffs. Please see the new schedule below:
REVISED TRYOUT SCHEDULE:
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Monday, Feb. 28, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. - 6th graders only
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Wednesday, March 2, 4 - 6 p.m. - 7th and 8th graders
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Friday, March 4, 4 - 5:30 p.m. - Callbacks by invitation only.
Tryouts will be held in the Thunder Gym. Participants must have a water bottle, and good court shoes.
Please contact them with any questions. Go Bolts!
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CEC Needs Volunteers for Muffins with Moms |
The CEC still needs a lot of volunteers for Muffins with Moms so it can run smoothly. This is the perfect opportunity for dads to get some volunteer hours so our BFA moms (and committee members) can attend with their kiddos. Please sign up today!
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Are you Interested in Making a Difference, Meeting New People, and Having Fun? |
Then the PTO is the place for you! The PTO is looking to fill volunteer positions for the 2022-23 school year, and they would love for you to join their team!
They have a variety of volunteer positions that can be done from home or school, and that fit any schedule--days, nights or weekends. The PTO offers behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunities, as well as those that put you front and center. You name it, they’ve got it!
PTO elections will be held April 26-30. For more information on the PTO, including job descriptions of the volunteer positions, please visit their webpage, and click on PTO Elections.
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Middle School Girls Soccer Tryouts |
Middle school girls soccer tryouts will be from 4 - 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, and Friday, March 4. Any middle school girl interested in playing this spring must register on MySchoolBucks. The season officially starts after spring break. If you have any questions please email Coach Svensen.
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If you would like to be involved in reviewing policies that impact our school and your student(s), please consider joining the School Accountability Committee (SAC) for their monthly meeting from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. today, Feb 24, via Zoom. They will be reviewing the following policies: Inventory Management, Field Trip, Non-Discrimination and Student Discipline. If you have any questions, please email Woody Haynes.
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Come join the Community Events Committee (CEC) for their monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. next Thursday, March 3, at BFA (location TBD). This will be a quick meeting before the Muffins with Moms set up at 7 p.m, but feel free to help out afterwards to get additional volunteer hours!
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Hope to See You at Muffins with Moms! |
The Community Events Committee (CEC) can’t wait to host students and their moms (or other special adult) from 7 – 8 a.m. on Friday, March 4, in the BFA Lightning (small) gym
Come enjoy time together over a craft, muffins, fruit, juice, and coffee. Once you are finished eating, head to the Thunder (big) gym for fun games and photo opportunities.
This is a popular event, so please arrive early and park in the upper lot so carpool is not disrupted. Moms should remain with their children until 7:45 a.m., after which students can head to their classroom. Please note, students should be in class by 8:10 a.m. A gluten free option will be available upon request.
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Final Day for Modern Plate Spirit Night |
Today is the last day to try the Modern Plate dinner delivery service while benefitting BFA. Purchase your meals now by visiting www.modernplate.com. Use the code 'BFA' at checkout in the coupon code box at the top of the screen. Modern Plate will track our orders and donate 10 percent back to BFA.
Modern Plate is a locally owned and operated, family-run company that makes meals and delivers them to your doorstep. They deliver fully cooked, heat and serve, family-style (serves 4) meals within the metro area. If you order by 10 a.m. on weekdays, you can get your meal delivered the same day! It's the perfect dinner solution for busy days. Meals range from $19.99 to $37.99. Sides, soups, appetizers, and desserts are available as well.
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Next Week PTO Store Closes for the Year |
The PTO store will be closing for the school year after Friday, March 4, so shop now for new spirit wear and spirit items. Make sure your kids have sweatshirts for chilly days and fleece jackets or vests for recess. We also have gaiters, water bottles, wireless phone chargers, car magnets, decals and more! Shop MySchoolBucks TODAY.
Orders will be delivered and sent home through your child's classroom. Masks and gaiters are not returnable. Questions? Contact Jacqui Condon, PTO Spirit Wear Chair.
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Parent Satisfaction Survey |
The School Accountability Committee (SAC) would like your feedback about this school year. Please complete the Parent Satisfaction Survey (one response per family) expressing your thoughts and opinions before end-of-day on Friday, March 11. We genuinely value your feedback and hope to hear from every BFA family. The survey should take less than 15 minutes, so please make time to complete it today!
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2022-23 Immunization Letters |
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment would like us to share the following letters with you regarding immunizations for next school year. These letters are important as they provide information about required vaccines, resources for low cost vaccines, and details about the exemption process.
Please contact our school nurse, Peggy Brown, or email our Health Assistant, Teri DeBellis, with any questions.
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Mission:
Our mission is to create young adults with character like America's founding Renaissance man, Benjamin Franklin: well-read, scientifically curious, and civically engaged.
Vision:
Our students will excel academically through a challenging, sequenced curriculum that emphasizes math, science, the arts, and literacy. We will be a data-driven institution, focusing on individual students. Our students, teachers, parents, staff, and leaders will be held accountable for the success of our school. Finally, we recognize that an education is incomplete without fostering social emotional development, character, sports, and nature.
13 Virtues:
Temperance, Silence, Order, Resolution, Frugality, Industry, Sincerity, Justice, Moderation, Cleanliness, Tranquility, Purity and Humility.
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Ben Franklin Academy
2270 Plaza Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
www.bfacademy.org
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Main Office Phone: 720-383-4519
Email: info@bfacademy.org
Attendance Phone: 720-432-9239
Email: attendance@bfacademy.org
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